CHIEF Olusegun Obasanjo, the United Nations (UN) Special Envoy to Congo DR met Laurent Nkunda, the main rebel leader on Monday. Nkunda during the meeting had requested that his troops merge with the Democratic Republic of Congo's army as part of a peace agreement. He also wants the Congolese government to find ways to protect minority groups.

Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo told reporters that talks between Nkunda and Congo's government are progressing. According to Chief Obasanjo, Nkunda made demands that he did not consider outrageous and demands that the government of Congo can meet.

"Laurent Nkunda transmitted to me a series of requests and concerns addressed to the Government. I demanded of him from the start whether I could count on him so that we left with this agreement in principle.

He accepted." It was in these terms that the UN Special Envoy of the Secretary General for peace in the Great Lakes Region, Olusegun Obasanjo, expressed the outcome of his meeting with rebel leader Laurent Nkunda on Sunday last November 16 2008 in Jomba, some 80km northeast of Goma in North Kivu province.

Mr. Obasanjo arrived in Goma, capital of North Kivu province on Saturday afternoon 15 November 2008, accompanied by the Executive Secretary of the International Conference for the Great Lakes, Ms. Liberata Mula Mula.

After giving an account of his discussion with Mr. Nkunda to the Congolese authorities, Mr. Obasanjo held a press conference during which he gave an assessment of the meeting.

"Laurent Nkunda engaged on two things in my presence: the respect of the ceasefire on the one hand and on the other, the maintenance of humanitarian corridors in order to give unconditional access to assist vulnerable populations."

"On the ceasefire", explained the Special Envoy, "we also discussed the methods on the setting up of a joint ceasefire monitoring group. Lastly, Laurent Nkunda accepted the principle of my role of Secretary General Special Envoy, as a mediator."

Evoking the requests expressed by Laurent Nkunda, the Special Envoy indicated that Mr. Nkunda demanded direct discussions with the Government, without condition, on various issues: politics, economics and security. Moreover Laurent Nkunda laid a major importance to the question of the FDLR; he also stated that he wants the protection and security of all the minorities of Congo, without exception, but in particular of those in the east of the country.

Mr. Nkunda also addressed the issue of the integration of his troops into the national army, as well as the integration of certain political elements of his movement into the structures of the territorial administration.

Questioned by the press on the credibility of the promises of Laurent Nkunda, the Special Envoy said that he intended to work "on the basis of the principle of mutual trust," and that he would judge Nkunda "on his acts, hoping that he would not disappoint."

Mr. Olusegun Obasanjo left Goma on Sunday afternoon 16 November last for Kigali, the next stop on his tour of the Great Lakes.

Chief Obasanjo, a U.N. special envoy, said the ongoing talks may quell violence in the country. More negotiations have been scheduled for Friday.

The recent fighting has prompted the UN. Security Council to approve sending more than 3,000 troops in coming weeks to bolster the 17,000-strong peacekeeping force already there.

The goal is to stop the violence that has deepened the stark humanitarian crisis in North Kivu province of Congo. The fighting has displaced an estimated 250,000 people many who have fled to refugee camps.

Fighting broke out in eastern Congo at the end of August between government forces and Nkunda's rebels. The fighting is spurred by lingering tensions over the 1994 slaughter of ethnic Tutsis by majority Hutus in neighboring Rwanda. Nkunda says his forces are fighting to defend Congolese Tutsis from Hutu militants who escaped to Congo.